Petition calls for independent commission

Petition calls for independent commission

BELGRADE -- A petition is calling on the minister of education to immediately form an independent academic commission to analyze the doctoral thesis Nebojša Stefanović.

The petition was launched by university professors, assistant professors, researchers, holders of doctoral degrees and doctoral students, the daily Politika is reporting.

The request comes after three Serbian scientists accused the interior minister and high ranking official of the ruling SNS party of plagiarizing his doctoral thesis, which he defended at Belgrade-based private university Megatrend.

Stefanović has rejected these accusations as unfounded.

The commission should be comprised of respected professors from Serbia and abroad with untarnished reputations, the daily reports, quoting the petition, hosted at petitions24.com.

On Tuesday alone it was signed by "800 scientists from Serbia and abroad," said the article.

The scientists also want the accreditation of the Megatrend University reviewed, in particular for awarding doctoral degrees, in view of indications of numerous violations of ethical standards.

One of the requests in the petition is that all master's and doctoral degrees awarded at both private and state universities in Serbia be published in electronic form so as to be accessible to the academic community.